Home >> Choices >> Decisions @ 17

Are you:

• On a one-year course and starting to think about what you want to do next?
• Part way through a two-year course and starting to think about your future plans?
• At work or training and reconsidering your future? 

Then read on to find out more about the options you could consider.

Options after a one year course

You could:

• Take a further course in the same or similar subject area
• Take a new course altogether
• Start work or training - there are Apprenticeships available in many types of work.

Staying in full time education

If you're on a BTEC First Diploma, BTEC Introductory Certificate or Diploma or OCR National level 1 or 2  there are clear progression routes onto higher-level courses in the same or a similar subject. You can find out more about what's available on the Coursefinder website (see the link here). However, if your present course has not been quite what you expected or you've now changed your mind about your plans, you could think about taking a course in a different subject area. This could be a general course or a course to train for a particular job.

Starting work & training

Job opportunities vary from area to area and depend on your qualifications and other skills. If you are looking for work you will need to think about the type of job you want to do and whether there are likely to be any vacancies locally. 

Apprenticeships are offered in many different areas of work - these give you the chance to work and gain nationally recognised qualifications. Your personal adviser can tell you about local opportunities.

If you are part way through a two-year course you may be thinking about your options when you finish. You could: 

• Start work & training
• Take another course in a related area
• Take a more specialised course
• Go on to Higher Education - if your course is at advanced level

Planning what to do next may seem a long way off but generally you need to be researching and considering your plans in the first year of your course. Your personal adviser can help you with your plans. 

 If you're already in work & training

If you are re-examining your future plans you can seek help and advice from your local Connexions Centre. Returning to full-time study is an option: further education courses are free to the under 19s. However, you could also consider part-time study to improve your qualifications. 

Apprenticeships are offered in many different areas of work and, with some experience under your belt, you can also look at vacancies with other employers.

Why not talk over your ideas with your personal adviser - they may be able to help you consider your options and plan ways of achieving your goals. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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